The ruse seemed to work until they arrived at the detention block. After the three of them stepped out of the turbolift, they were immediately asked where they were taking Chewbacca by LieutenantShann Childsen. Skywalker told Childsen that he and Han were transferring Chewbacca from Cell Block 1138 to Detention Block AA-23. As Childsen contacted his superiors, Skywalker and Solo pretended that Chewbacca was breaking free of his handcuffs and handed him a blaster rifle.

The resulting firefight claimed the lives of Lieutenant Childsen, Sergeant MajorEnfield, CorporalPrescott, CorporalGrenwick and Devin Cant, as well as the destruction of the detention block's surveillance equipment. Before he died however, Childsen activated an alarm switch, alerting the Death Star's security staff to the fact that there was an emergency situation in Detention Block AA-23. All areas aboard the Death Star were alerted.

Han Solo and Chewbacca firing in Detention Block AA 23's cell bay.

After Skywalker freed the Princess, they discovered that there was only one way out of the detention block, and stormtroopers were coming from that direction. After procuring a blaster rifle from one of her "rescuers," she blasted a hole through a grate into a garbage chute leading to Garbage Compactor 3263827. Chewbacca, Skywalker, and Solo reluctantly followed.

The Bothan prisoner VAB-927 was also held in Detention Block AA-23 on one occasion.[1]